Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

(serves 1)

when the mercury drops below freezing, pack some extra flavor (and calories) into your hot cocoa

4 Tbs cocoa powder
2 Tbs powdered milk
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs peanut butter
1 1/2 cups hot water

*combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Baked Potato Soup

(serves 2)

this soup has all the fixings of your favorite baked potato

4 cups water
1/2 cup powdered milk
2 Tbs. flour
2 Tbs. dried onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp oil
1/2 cup potato pearls
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
2 Tbs bacon bits

* Combine all the ingredients except potatoes and cheese in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
* Remove from heat and add the potato pearls slowly while stirring rigorously
* Add cheese and cover until melted
* Serve with bacon, salt and pepper to taste

Pro Tips: Cold Weather

On cold weather trips pack between 3500-4000 calories or roughly 2- 2 1/2 pounds of food and 1/4 a liter of fuel per person per day.

Take a Hot Water Bottle to bed with you (see the recipe for Sierra Ice Tea).

One-dish meals make clean up easer.

A 0.5 liter nalgene bottle fits well in a beer coozie to double as a thermos. This also tuck nicely inside you jacket as a hand warmer.

To melt snow for water, you need to start with a mix of snow and water in your pan so that you don't scorch anything. And be sure to boil water if you are traveling somewhere were you would normally treat your drinking water.

You'll need to make sure to drink lots of fluids, so pack drink mixes (like gatoraid or emergen-c), soup mixes, as well as coffee, tea, and cocoa. Aim for 3-4 liters a day.

Photo of the Month

Delivery or DiGiorno by Erin Gibbons

Gingerbread Pancakes

Bring some holiday cheer to your backcountry breakfast! These are great for hut trips.

(serves 4)

For Pancakes:
1 cup bisquick
1/2 gingerbread mix (you can get this at places like Trader Joe's)
a scant cup of cold water

For Brown Sugar Syrup:
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

*combine all ingredients in plastic bag
*lightly grease frybake and heat until water droplets sizzle on the surface
*pour batter onto pan and cook over medium heat until bubbles form on top surface
*flip and cook other side
*while pancakes are cooking combine ingredients for syrup
*serve with butter and brown sugar syrup

Tamale Pie

this will warm you from the inside out

(serves 3)

for crust:
2 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 tsp. backing powder
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs oil
1 cup water

for filling:
4 cups boiled water
2 cups instant black or refried beans
1/4 cup tomato base
2 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. pepper
cayenne and/or hotsauce to taste
1 cup sliced cheese


*mix the crust ingredients until moistened; the dough should resemble stiff bisquit dough
*flatten into frybake and cook until the top looks dry being careful not to burn the bottom
*remove from heat and poke hole in the surface
*spread butter over the surface
*put 1/2 cup cheese on top of crust

*add all the filling ingredients (expect cheese) to the boiled water
*stir until well mixed and remove from heat
*spoon mixture on to crust and spread over the melted cheese
*put remaining cheese on top of bean mixture

*cover and cook over low heat until cheese melts; rotating pan frequently to avoid burning the crust

Salmon with Shallots and Sundried Tomatoes

(Serves 2)

This flavorful dish pairs well with couscous pilaf, rice, or pasta. It's also good on bagels for breakfast!

1 pouch smoked salmon
1 Tbs olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
dash red pepper flakes
5 dehydrated sundried tomatoes
2 oz feta cheese

*Rehydrate sun dried tomatoes in warm water for 5 minutes
*Combine all ingredients except cheese in skillet and sautee until salmon is heated through (about 5 minutes)
*Add cheese and cook covered over low heat for 1 minute or until cheese is melted
*Serve atop grain of your choice!